Octaves for the Cello, Book One

Name: Octaves for the Cello, Book One
SKU: CHP103
Price: 10.95 USD
Availability: InStock

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Learn Double Stop Octaves in Cello Thumb Position

Octaves for the Cello, Book One begins the study of octave double stops in thumb position on the cello.

The book begins with strength training to prepare the hand and continues with exercises in finger spacing that give you the precision required to play octaves.

The exercises teach the "D" octave (with the thumb on the mid-string harmonic) and then teach the "A" octave (when the 3rd finger is on the mid-string harmonic). Finally, the book teaches you to shift between those two octave double stops.

All advanced cellists can benefit from a daily study of octaves. Octaves form the basis for most of the thumb position encountered in repertoire. Many high-level skills, such as artificial harmonics, double stop thirds, and double stop tenths, can only be played if you have a fluent octave technique.

Teachers can use this book to train their students in advanced double-stop playing on the cello before they are required to play octaves in solo literature, or as a technique supplement for students already playing octaves in cello literature.

Professional-level cellists can use this book to refine and update their skills. This book can be followed by Octaves for the Cello, Book Two.

by Cassia Harvey
32 pages CHP103
978-0-615726-80-9
©2004 C. Harvey Publications

SKU: CHP103 Categories: Advanced Level I Cello, Cello, Cello Double Stops, Cello Thumb Position

Additional information

Clefs Used	Bass and treble clef
Heterogeneous Class Use	No, cannot be used in heterogeneous classes
Level	Early-Advanced
Positions Used	Covers most of the fingerboard; thumb is used extensively.

Common Questions About This Book

Who is this book for?

This book is for advanced cellists who are beginning to study octave double stops in thumb position or who want to strengthen and refine their octave technique. It is ideal for students preparing advanced solo repertoire, conservatory auditions, competitions, and professional-level performance, as well as teachers looking for a systematic approach to teaching thumb-position octaves.

What will students learn from this book?

Students will develop the strength, finger spacing, and coordination needed to play octave double stops confidently in thumb position. They will learn the two fundamental octave hand shapes, shift accurately between them, and build the technical foundation required for advanced skills such as artificial harmonics, double-stop thirds, and tenths.

What is included in this book?

This book begins with hand-strengthening exercises that prepare the left hand for octave playing, followed by progressive studies that teach precise finger spacing and intonation. Students learn the "D" octave, then the "A" octave, and finally practice shifting smoothly between these two essential octave shapes. The material is carefully sequenced to build a secure foundation for advanced thumb-position technique and prepares students to continue with Octaves for the Cello, Book Two.

What makes this book different from similar books?

Many thumb-position methods introduce octaves only as part of scales or advanced repertoire, expecting students to develop the technique through repetition alone. Octaves for the Cello, Book One isolates the individual skills required for successful octave playing, beginning with hand strength and finger spacing before introducing shifting between octave shapes.By building octave technique step by step, the book develops the secure foundation needed not only for octaves themselves but also for many of the most advanced techniques in cello playing. Whether used before learning demanding repertoire or alongside it, this systematic approach helps students gain confidence, improve intonation, and develop a more reliable thumb position.